Black History Month Profiles: Raya Fagg

For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Raya Fagg of the Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU).

Raya Fagg is the outreach coordinator for the Office of Cultural Affairs for Upper Darby Township in Pennsylvania. An OPEIU Local 153 member since 2019, she also serves as the secretary for her union’s executive board. "Systems can be changed," she said, "but it has to start with an individual and end with a collective."

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 02/03/2025 - 13:50

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: GE Appliances Workers Ratify New Contract

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

After months of negotiations, members of IUE-CWA Local 83761 in Louisville, Kentucky, have secured a new contract with GE Appliances.

IUE-CWA represents approximately 5,000 production workers at the dishwasher, refrigerator, and washer and dryer manufacturer. Their new contract includes wins such as a 60% decrease in insurance deductibles, an additional holiday off, provisions establishing a career progression system that helps workers get regular raises with additional built-in wage increases at major milestones and more.

“Trying to equally distribute what we can negotiate is hard...but everybody is getting contractual wage increases every year and that’s something we can continue to build on,” said Local 83761 President Dino Driskell. “We went through the four years so workers could see what their personal gains would be....We knew we’re going to take it, or we were going to be on strike.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 02/03/2025 - 10:22

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: WGAE Members Ratify Contract with ABC News

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Members of the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) who work at ABC News overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract that contains powerful language protecting workers from the encroaching presence of artificial intelligence (AI).

The unit secured meaningful provisions that prevent the news outlet from laying off any current staff as a result of generative AI usage and require management to alert members if the company plans to make the use of this technology a requirement in their jobs. Additionally, ABC News is obligated to bargain with the union over the impacts of any new AI practices. Other wins in the agreement include 5% annual wage increases, more paid time off and more.

“Now more than ever, we need journalists who can report and present the news while they are protected in their workplace,” said WGAE President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen in a press release. “A union contract is the only thing that ensures that protection. Our members and staff fought hard for this contract, and they deserve everything they won.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 01/31/2025 - 10:01

Worker Wins: An Important Step Forward

Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.

Whole Foods Workers Make History with Union Election: On Monday, workers at a Philadelphia Whole Foods Market voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776, making them the first union store in Amazon’s grocery chain. The e-commerce giant has owned Whole Foods since 2017. Since taking over, Amazon has rolled back numerous worker benefits, cut staffing and changed things like attendance policies for the worse. As expected, this campaign was faced with numerous instances of anti-union retaliation and intimidation tactics, forcing UFCW to file unfair labor practice charges against the grocer. Full- and part-time staff cite the need for livable wages, affordable health care and better retirement packages as key motivators for organizing. But members of Whole Foods Workers United also hope their story of taking on a union-busting behemoth—and winning—will also inspire their counterparts at hundreds of locations across the country. “I expect others to follow, and that will increase the leverage that we have at the bargaining table,” said Ben Lovett, a member of Whole Foods Workers United. “We’ve shown them that it’s possible to organize at Amazon.” “This fight is far from over, but today’s victory is an important step forward,” said Wendell Young, president of Local 1776. “We are ready to bring Whole Foods to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair first contract that reflects the workers’ needs and priorities.”

Boston Commuter Rail Workers Unions Secure New Contracts: Commuter rail workers represented by Machinists (IAM) Local 318, TCU/IAM, the Brotherhood Railway Carmen of America, and the American Railway and Airway Supervisors Association (ARASA) have all ratified new contracts with Keolis Commuter Services. Keolis operates the commuter rail system on behalf of Amtrak and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in the Boston metro area and parts of Rhode Island. The union coalition—which includes members who handle core responsibilities like engineering, locomotives and maintenance—garnered support from local lawmakers who called for a fair deal. “These union members stood together. We all came together as a coalition to demand that Keolis step up to meet the reasonable needs of the workforce,” said TCU/IAM National President Arthur Maratea. “We showed a lot of solidarity, and we’re happy to deliver new contracts to our unions’ hard-working rail members in Boston.” “Our members are dedicated to serving Boston’s commuters and worked under an outdated contract with no raises for two years until Keolis could make a fair deal,” said IAM District 19 Directing General Chair Reece Murtagh. “We never disrupted commuters’ lives, but we made it known that we would not settle for less than these members deserve.”

Delaware County District Library Workers Win Union Election: Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board certified on Monday that staff at Delaware County District Library (DCDL) have successfully voted to organize with the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT), the state affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Under the name Delaware County United Library Staff (DCULS), the new unit covers 85 librarians and library workers. Despite the library’s board of trustees voting to remain neutral during the organizing effort, DCDL’s director included union-busting talking points at a mandatory staff meeting. Under Ohio law, the library is required to allow the same amount of time for a pro-union message, but workers were forced to file an unfair labor practice charge when management refused to do so. Now that DCULS members have won their representation by 82%, they’re looking forward to starting negotiations for a first contract. “Having grown up in Delaware County and seen its changes over my lifetime, there have been enormous changes that we never even imagined. Our community size and its needs have changed, but our commitment to the Delaware County community hasn't,” said Kaleb Kramer, an Adult Services specialist at the Liberty Branch Library. “Our new union empowers all levels of staff to leverage our community relationships and experiences in partnership with our management and Board to keep pace with the rapid changes happening in our county.”

UAW Welcomes Stellantis Recommitment to Restart Illinois Factory After Pressure Campaign: After months of the UAW organizing to keep the manufacturer accountable, Stellantis announced last week it will be producing a new mid-sized pickup truck at its shuttered assembly plant in Illinois and building the next-generation Dodge Durango SUV in Detroit. Stellantis—which owns Chrysler, Jeep, Ram and other brands—closed the Belvidere facility in 2023, then later that year agreed to reopen it as part of an agreement with the UAW. The corporation attempted to walk back that promise in August 2024, prompting the union to launch its Keep the Promise campaign that included demonstrations, grievance filings and other actions. “This victory is a testament to the power of workers standing together and holding a billion-dollar corporation accountable,” said UAW President Shawn Fain in a press release. “We’ve shown that we will do what it takes to protect the good union jobs that are the lifeblood of places like Belvidere, Detroit, Kokomo, and beyond.”

PASS Ratifies Second Contract with Federal Aviation Administration: Former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Mike Whitaker (right) and Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) National President Dave Spero (left) signed a new contract this month covering approximately 7,200 employees in the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization. PASS members voted to ratify the new five-year deal with 88% approval in early January. This contract went into effect right before a series of anti-federal employee executive orders were handed down by the new Trump administration. The contract offers financial incentives to workers, strengthens telework and remote work provisions, and increases rest requirements for this safety-critical workforce. “Although the process took longer than we would have liked, PASS bargained as efficiently and effectively as possible,” said Spero. “PASS did not get everything we wanted but we made many improvements that will enhance employees’ work lives and address staffing issues at air traffic control facilities that have difficulty retaining workers. I’m proud of the work our team did at the bargaining table. It was challenging at times, but in the end, we achieved a strong collective bargaining agreement. I want to thank our members for their support and patience during the process.”

Culinary Union Members Ratify Contract with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Ending Strike: On Wednesday, members of UNITE HERE’s Nevada affiliates—Culinary Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165—who work at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas unanimously ratified a new contract. This victory ends 69 days of around-the-clock picket lines, the longest work stoppage in decades for these hospitality workers. Staff at the hotel-casino bravely held the line throughout the duration of the strike and received an outpouring of support—including from the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), which publicly pledged a boycott. In a joint statement, the unions and employer said: “Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and the Culinary and Bartenders Unions are pleased to be moving past their contract negotiations as each looks forward to fostering a positive and collaborative working relationship for the benefit of all team members at the property. Parties are committed to the resolution of our dispute and to maintaining a union standard at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas that provides for its team members’ families and fosters a better community for all.”

Planned Parenthood of Michigan Staff Ratify First Agreement: United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951 members who work at Planned Parenthood of Michigan in Kalamazoo voted overwhelmingly last week to ratify their first contract. Kalamazoo Health Center was the first Planned Parenthood site in west Michigan to organize when workers joined UFCW in June. The agreement, which covers 25 medical assistants and five registered nurses, includes wins such as higher wages, more paid time off, increases in bereavement leave, creation of a safety committee and more. “The workers at Planned Parenthood—Kalamazoo Health Center wanted union representation to give them the guarantees and protections in the workplace they deserve,” said John Cakmakci, president of Local 951. “We are excited to represent the employees at Planned Parenthood of Michigan in Kalamazoo.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 01/30/2025 - 10:23

Tags: Organizing

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Planned Parenthood of Michigan Staff Ratify First Agreement

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951 members who work at Planned Parenthood of Michigan in Kalamazoo voted overwhelmingly last week to ratify their first contract.

Kalamazoo Health Center was the first Planned Parenthood site in west Michigan to organize when workers joined UFCW in June. The agreement, which covers 25 medical assistants and five registered nurses, includes wins such as higher wages, more paid time off, increases in bereavement leave, creation of a safety committee and more.

“The workers at Planned Parenthood—Kalamazoo Health Center wanted union representation to give them the guarantees and protections in the workplace they deserve,” said John Cakmakci, president of Local 951. “We are excited to represent the employees at Planned Parenthood of Michigan in Kalamazoo.”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 01/30/2025 - 10:15

Building the Skills to Fight for Working Families: What Working People Are Doing This Week

Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.

Actors' Equity:

We are currently accepting nominations for the 2025 Paul Robeson Award! Know an individual or organization that best exemplifies and practices the principles and ideals of Paul Robeson, please submit nominations by Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - https://t.co/bYVtsxMzdE pic.twitter.com/G2yqcUrNuQ

— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) January 29, 2025

AFGE:

AFGE is urging ALL members and civil servants NOT to make a hasty decision to resign until you have further details. https://t.co/XMgUnOR7Vx

— AFGE (@AFGENational) January 29, 2025

AFSCME:

Billionaires have amassed more power and influence than ever, and they are using it now to rob working people. This freeze on federal assistance funding comes straight from Project 2025 and threatens to hurt working families. https://t.co/3GrBpYOTf5

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) January 28, 2025

Alliance for Retired Americans:

Alliance members are already showing up to support workers this year! @TX4TARA members joined a ULP strike against Amazon and PA Alliance members helped shutdown Starbucks in White Hall. #1u #ItsBetterInAUnion pic.twitter.com/k1I6e7kJEW

— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) January 28, 2025

Amalgamated Transit Union:

Local 616-Windsor, ON, joined with riders to push the City to save this critical bus service that many citizens rely on. #ATUStrongerTogether #canlab #1u #Windsor @OFLabour https://t.co/YY2mVv4nWV

— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) January 28, 2025

American Federation of Musicians:

Thank you, @VernBuchanan and @RepJudyChu, for reintroducing the Performing Arts Tax Parity Act (PAPTA) to restore the ability of performing artists to deduct their ordinary and necessary unreimbursed business expenses. https://t.co/gZ6R1279EO

— AFM (@The_AFM) January 27, 2025

American Federation of Teachers:

Working families are struggling to make ends meet while billionaires & corporations rake in record profits. Giving those at the top more tax breaks won't lower costs for families, it will just make our economy even more rigged. 

Renewing the #TrumpTaxCuts is a scam. pic.twitter.com/nSqZiHhnPC

— AFT (@AFTunion) January 27, 2025

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:

Reminder: Scholarship deadlines are approaching!
Our AFA membership provides opportunities for scholarships, & the ability to earn a degree with no out of pocket expense for tuition, fees & books. More info, incl. @CWAUnion & @UnionPlus scholarships: https://t.co/xJeWNjAKe3

— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) January 27, 2025

Boilermakers:

#Boilermaker travelers joined L-13 and L-28 to execute three impressive 450-ton reactor critical lifts. Have you boomed out for work? What's your best Boilermaker travel story? https://t.co/oPbIjaQcd7 pic.twitter.com/zr0aZOhwIV

— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) January 29, 2025

Bricklayers:

Recently, members from BAC Local 3 MA/ME/RI battled the elements to build the new Tobin Montessori School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Featuring 70 geothermal wells, a massive solar canopy, and is projected for LEED platinum certification!

read more: https://t.co/RbAHMJV5Sv pic.twitter.com/zUIOOKHI3A

— Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union (@IUBAC) January 29, 2025

Communications Workers of America:

🙌 Thrilled to see our members stepping up at today's legislative training in NY! Building the skills to fight for working families & make our voices heard in Albany. Together, we're shaping a better future for all New Yorkers! 💪 #CWAStrong #1u pic.twitter.com/fs2a2ySSQ5

— CWA District 1 (@CWADistrict1) January 27, 2025

Department for Professional Employees:

Today, the @BLS_gov released its annual union membership report which found that union professionals grew to 6.5 million in 2024. Here's DPE's full statement: https://t.co/8YISm3cj7M pic.twitter.com/igXWrdTjFI

— Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) January 28, 2025

Electrical Workers:

Happy Birthday, IBEW 569! 

For 105 years, 569 members have gathered in strength & solidarity, in unity for the dignity of our work, & safety of San Diego & Imperial Counties' worksites, & for each other. Generations of electricians have benefited. #UnionStrong #IBEWProud pic.twitter.com/OobZ9FCyYh

— IBEW569 (@IBEW569) January 29, 2025

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:

🚨 Students have rights! 🛑 Schools cannot disclose information about a student's immigration status. It's crucial to be prepared and know what to do in case of an immigration raid. Access resources to protect yourself and your family. Knowledge is power. 💪🏽 #StudentsRights pic.twitter.com/Cgg6CSGEXa

— LCLAA (@LCLAA) January 29, 2025

Labor Heritage Foundation:

Listen now: MLK in Memphis https://t.co/cIykusMczB

— Labor Heritage (@LaborHeritage1) January 26, 2025

Laborers:

When #LIUNA shows up, bosses listen! Like, these Mail Handlers on the picket line proving that #solidarity isn't just a word—it's our SUPERPOWER. Are you with us? pic.twitter.com/tklupMEJ36

— LIUNA (@LIUNA) January 29, 2025

Machinists:

(1/2) An IAM member lost their life on the job today at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The IAM is coordinating with authorities to conduct a full investigation. https://t.co/2OtSlP1wUd

— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) January 28, 2025

Musical Artists:

Hats! Mugs! Totes! Announcing SwAGMA: the Union’s Official Merch Store. $5 from every purchase goes to the AGMA Relief Fund: https://t.co/k4IM8SZSEg pic.twitter.com/Nx4pEYsKon

— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) January 28, 2025

National Air Traffic Controllers Association:

Limited edition merchandise for the NATCA Convention taking place in San Francisco May 9-11, 2025 is available to pre-order. Last day to order is February 1, 2025, for guaranteed pickup at NATCA Convention. https://t.co/oS5xfqlF5m pic.twitter.com/V5jTsi8WAw

— NATCA (@NATCA) January 29, 2025

National Association of Letter Carriers:

Why is USPS consistently ranked as one of the most trusted government agencies?

Because NALC members build community, serve with pride, and deliver dependability 💯 pic.twitter.com/fnT8q343gw

— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) January 28, 2025

National Domestic Workers Alliance:

The Altadena fires have devastated many caregivers, adding financial strain on families raising children and taking care of aging parents without the protections and support they deserve.

We must provide long-term solutions for care now.https://t.co/z1WWlnpey7

— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) January 29, 2025

National Nurses United:

NNU nurses stand in solidarity with the @OregonNurses on strike demanding Providence put patients over profits! Hold the line! ✊ pic.twitter.com/2TYVdVqthM

— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) January 28, 2025

NFL Players Association:

Our 2025-26 application window for the NFLPA Charitable Grants Partnership is now open!

Clink the link to learn more about the program: https://t.co/Vi6oQPYYzh pic.twitter.com/GifsvapWUJ

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) January 29, 2025

North America's Building Trades Unions:

There is power in a union. pic.twitter.com/N3qFixyszE

— The Building Trades (@NABTU) January 27, 2025

Office and Professional Employees:

Solidarity with the staff at Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, who are one step closer to formalizing their union with OPEIU Local 98! https://t.co/UaDaSHbzsN

— OPEIU | #UnionStrong (@OPEIU) January 27, 2025

Painters and Allied Trades:

Four of our apprentices are competing this week at Surfaces -- Jonathan Youn, a third year apprentice from DC 50 in Hawaii; Diana Jimenz, a third year apprentice from DC 36 in California; Harrison Aho, a second year apprentice from DC 5 in Washington; and Edgar Lopez, a fifth… pic.twitter.com/staMOZ5jBl

— IUPAT (@GoIUPAT) January 29, 2025

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:

Know your rights: you have the right to a safe workplace!

Check out resources from RWDSU’s Health and Safety Department: https://t.co/6tmmHgYzhp pic.twitter.com/ZF6EbvSAup

— RWDSU (@RWDSU) January 26, 2025

Roofers and Waterproofers:

This is truly historic--the first unionized store in Amazon’s grocery chain. This is just the beginning. See what happens when workers unite against corporate greed and stand up to their union-busting tactics. #Solidarity https://t.co/uHrQv5Zq4X

— Roofers Union (@roofersunion) January 28, 2025

SAG-AFTRA:

Check out the SAG-AFTRA podcast for key takeaways from #CES2025. EVP Linda Powell and NED Duncan Crabtree-Ireland are joined by members of the SAG-AFTRA National Innovation and New Technology Committee and A.I. Task Force Committee. Listen now: https://t.co/glo0fqULc1

— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) January 24, 2025

Service Employees International Union (SEIU):

🚨 SOLIDARITY WITH RICHMOND JANITORS! 150 union workers from @32BJSEIU are on the picket line with contracted janitors standing against Nu-Tech’s illegal firings, discrimination, & cruel treatment. Janitors—earning as little as $15/hr with no PTO—deserve dignity, not retaliation. pic.twitter.com/YI0k7S1eFe

— SEIU (@SEIU) January 28, 2025

Solidarity Center:

Our partners the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL) are bargaining for better living & working conditions at Bridgestone's Liberia rubber plantation ✊🏿. Join us in showing support & #solidarity by signing their petition: https://t.co/o2xVtcG9vX#WorkerRights

— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) January 23, 2025

The NewsGuild-CWA:

NEW: First contract win for staff at Democracy Works (@dwcollectiveTNG)!✊ Their contract includes:
✅ Guaranteed wage increases 
✅ Layoff protections + severance 
✅ 12 weeks of paid parental leave
✅Expanded protections against discrimination
and more:https://t.co/r2Yl7KCOvZ

— The NewsGuild-CWA (@newsguild) January 24, 2025

Theatrical Stage Employees:

We talked to Liv Rigdon and Christian Soto, workers who were picketing outside of the Atlantic Theater to hear their thoughts surrounding the current strike for a fair contract. pic.twitter.com/04InIyp55P

— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) January 28, 2025

Transport Workers Union:

Always great to bump into TWU retirees enjoying the retirement they earned, like Errol Bassit, MaBSTOA, ⁦@TWULocal100,⁩ at the airport in Miami. ⁦@TwuSamuelsen⁩ pic.twitter.com/krYWcoY6By

— TWU (@transportworker) January 29, 2025

Transportation Trades Department:

From DC to NYC and back again, we’re grateful for the @Amtrak workers who keep us moving! 🚆 pic.twitter.com/INd6mBgBs4

— TTD | America's Transportation Unions (@TTDAFLCIO) January 28, 2025

UAW:

“Our members, who get paid roughly $35 an hour, have been asked to somehow figure out how they can compete with workers that make $3 an hour,” said Jason Wade, an assistant to UAW President Shawn Fain. “Those workers should be paid either the exact same or in close proximity to…

— UAW (@UAW) January 29, 2025

UNITE HERE:

The union difference matters for queer and trans workers. At #CreatingChange2025, UNITE HERE members from across the union shared stories about how affordable and inclusive health care, good wages, & non-discrimination protections changed workers’ lives. pic.twitter.com/csbEVmWRyA

— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) January 27, 2025

United Food and Commercial Workers:

Workers at the Cannabis 21+ dispensary in Mission Valley, San Diego, have voted to join @UFCW135

With the union backing them, these workers intend to secure better wages, benefits, and conditions.

Let’s get to work!

➡️ https://t.co/Zy4796z7GR pic.twitter.com/ZtDYopFj5P

— UFCW (@UFCW) January 23, 2025

United Steelworkers:

We honored former U.S. Trade Rep. Katherine Tai with the Wellstone Award for her dedication to worker-centered trade, good jobs, and strong supply chains during her tenure under Biden. Named for Sen. Paul Wellstone, the award recognizes champions of labor and public service. pic.twitter.com/tEgcIMqzL0

— United Steelworkers #EverybodysUnion (@steelworkers) January 28, 2025

Utility Workers:

👏👏👏 ICYMI: New members of UWUA Local 105 at Dearborn Industrial Gas secured a milestone first contract with the help of the Michigan State Utility Workers Council. 🧵 #ItsBetterInAUnion pic.twitter.com/3to09bSXI6

— UWUA National (@The_UWUA) January 29, 2025

Writers Guild of America East:

CONGRATULATIONS to our members at ABC News who just ratified a groundbreaking contract that includes language protecting members from being laid-off due to the use of generative AI. ✊ #UnionStrong 

Read more details via https://t.co/K9tSQPmaTP pic.twitter.com/DOQv0KE6Gv

— Writers Guild of America East (@WGAEast) January 28, 2025

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 01/29/2025 - 09:32

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Whole Foods Workers Make History with Union Election

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

On Monday, workers at a Philadelphia Whole Foods Market voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776, making them the first union store in Amazon’s grocery chain.

The e-commerce giant has owned Whole Foods since 2017. Since taking over, Amazon has rolled back numerous worker benefits, cut staffing and changed things like attendance policies for the worse. As expected, this campaign was faced with numerous instances of anti-union retaliation and intimidation tactics, forcing UFCW to file unfair labor practice charges against the grocer. Full- and part-time staff cite the need for livable wages, affordable health care and better retirement packages as key motivators for organizing. But members of Whole Foods Workers United also hope their story of taking on a union-busting behemoth—and winning—will also inspire their counterparts at hundreds of locations across the country.

“I expect others to follow, and that will increase the leverage that we have at the bargaining table,” said Ben Lovett, a member of Whole Foods Workers United. “We’ve shown them that it’s possible to organize at Amazon.”

“This fight is far from over, but today’s victory is an important step forward,” said Wendell Young, president of Local 1776. “We are ready to bring Whole Foods to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair first contract that reflects the workers’ needs and priorities.”

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 01/29/2025 - 09:19

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: UAW Welcomes Stellantis Recommitment to Restart Illinois Factory After Pressure Campaign

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

After months of the UAW organizing to keep the manufacturer accountable, Stellantis announced last week it will be producing a new mid-sized pickup truck at its shuttered assembly plant in Illinois and building the next-generation Dodge Durango SUV in Detroit.

Stellantis—which owns Chrysler, Jeep, Ram and other brands—closed the Belvidere facility in 2023, then later that year agreed to reopen it as part of an agreement with the UAW. The corporation attempted to walk back that promise in August 2024, prompting the union to launch its Keep the Promise campaign that included demonstrations, grievance filings and other actions.

“This victory is a testament to the power of workers standing together and holding a billion-dollar corporation accountable,” said UAW President Shawn Fain in a press release. “We’ve shown that we will do what it takes to protect the good union jobs that are the lifeblood of places like Belvidere, Detroit, Kokomo, and beyond.”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 01/28/2025 - 10:13

We Will Not Be Silent, We Will Not Back Down: In the States Roundup

It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on X (formerly Twitter).

Alaska AFL-CIO:

Last year, lawmakers appropriated $1,000,000 in public funds to conduct a salary study.

A draft was completed in October of 2024. Where is the report now? Dunleavy says all copies were destroyed. Sign the petition and tell Mike to release the study!https://t.co/NTqxgoG3Th

— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) January 28, 2025

Arizona AFL-CIO:

"The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment ordering two commonly owned Arizona drywall and painting companies to pay $7,450,000 in back wages and damages..."https://t.co/XHXMNbCmjt

— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) January 17, 2025

California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:

We will not be silent, we will not back down. pic.twitter.com/N2tefjhgv8

— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) January 21, 2025

Colorado AFL-CIO:

We're big fans of Ken Casey and the Dropkick Murphys. Thank you, Ken, for sending words of encouragement to Colorado -- we're #ShippingUpToDenver to get the Worker Protection Act passed and make it easier for Colorado workers to form a union 💪 #copolitics #coleg pic.twitter.com/CzfQQO9Nuk

— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) January 23, 2025

Connecticut AFL-CIO:

BREAKING: @CTComptroller Sean Scanlon & Labor Committee Co-Chair @SenatorJulie Kushner announce legislation that will give the Comptroller the authority to withhold money to contractors on state construction projects for violations of prevailing wage pic.twitter.com/KkwFPjw9eJ

— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) January 27, 2025

Illinois AFL-CIO:

Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield is coming to the Capitol on March 5th! We'll meet with legislators to talk about the importance of diversity in the trades and what we can do to recruit and retain more women.

Register here: https://t.co/QYTjhHhRPG pic.twitter.com/FLkNmVSiWo

— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) January 27, 2025

Maine AFL-CIO:

An epic tale of how nurses at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor won the first union contract at a hospital in Maine. The nurses faced union busting consultants, legal battles & even near-physical violence, but they won, setting off an organizing wave. https://t.co/VfjE7tilwr

— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) January 23, 2025

Massachusetts AFL-CIO:

Statement from MA AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch on the Healey-Driscoll Admin’s proposed budget plan to permanently close the Pappas Rehab Hospital & Pocasset Mental Health Center, layoff 170 case managers in DMH, and hike insurance rates for 1000s of union members. #mapoli pic.twitter.com/n7f2QtZMSh

— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) January 22, 2025

Michigan State AFL-CIO:

BREAKING: the new @MI_Republicans majority just pulled the rug out from under working families. Every legislator, regardless of their party, will be held accountable for their vote to cut the pay and benefits for workers most in need.https://t.co/ivWaqBPZ1Q

— Michigan AFL-CIO ✊ (@MIAFLCIO) January 23, 2025

Minnesota AFL-CIO:

Each day that House Republicans waste playing pretend is one less day to pass a state budget that allows Minnesota to thrive and pass an infrastructure bill to create jobs and improve our communities. Contact your legislator. https://t.co/tKygKZ3X2i #mnleg #BetterInAUnion

— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) January 23, 2025

Missouri AFL-CIO:

The initiative petition process gives Missourians a path to change policies when politicians don’t listen. Now lawmakers are trying to take your rights. They think that a small minority of Missourians should be able to veto any statewide proposal. We must protect majority rule! pic.twitter.com/t1RXNTRpqs

— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) January 28, 2025

Nevada State AFL-CIO:

Congratulations to @SEIU1107 on their grand re-opening at their new hall! pic.twitter.com/AgS7LL8T3I

— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) January 26, 2025

New Hampshire AFL-CIO:

Our Brothers and Sisters are here today to tell their elected Representatives that “Right-to-Work” is STILL WRONG for NH! 

Please help us by following the link to send a letter to your legislator today: https://t.co/QP4RyjZZTs

Thank you for your #Solidarity! ✊#NHPolitics #1u pic.twitter.com/GahXnrrHj3

— New Hampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) January 28, 2025

New York State AFL-CIO:

It's time to overhaul our state revenue system and create a fairer tax structure that supports all New Yorkers. Raising revenue will allow our state to provide the essential services that 20 million New Yorkers rely on every day. #ShareOurWealth pic.twitter.com/Wmft4cxCSJ

— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) January 27, 2025

Ohio AFL-CIO:

Congratulations to the workers at the Delaware County District Library who just voted #UnionYes to join @OFTunion @AFTunion and be the news #Ohio members of the @AFLCIO https://t.co/j7y01oJvZr pic.twitter.com/OJ1S1BwPBu

— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) January 27, 2025

Oregon AFL-CIO:

The Oregon AFL-CIO and all of #OregonLabor stands united against the wave of attacks by the Trump administration against immigrants.

Immigrant rights are workers’ rights—any effort to exploit and attack immigrant workers creates a race to the bottom for all of us. Until every… pic.twitter.com/U1ibfGuF27

— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) January 22, 2025

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:

Ready to kickstart a rewarding career? Becoming an apprentice is your pathway to mastering a trade, earning while you learn, and building a future with stability and growth.

🔧✨ 👉 Take the first step toward your future today! https://t.co/jDjF2SLMO0 pic.twitter.com/6wRzWy5cWW

— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) January 17, 2025

Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council:

The upcoming closure of Bridgestone’s LaVergne plant this summer is devastating news, especially for our USW Local 1055L brothers & sisters. They're a vital part of our union family, & we will continue to stand in solidarity with them as they navigate what lies ahead. Link Below

— Tennessee AFL-CIO (@tnaflcio) January 24, 2025

Texas AFL-CIO:

Thank you to all the #txlege staffers who attended our first Labor Lunch & Learn last week!

We are so heartened to see these staffers’ dedication to prioritizing working Texans — not billionaires — during this legislative session. pic.twitter.com/aXv2DpHNrc

— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) January 27, 2025

Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:

Reunited and it feels so good 💜 https://t.co/oXpSSShMW8

— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) January 27, 2025

West Virginia AFL-CIO:

Proud to see a great turnout today for the kickoff of the 2025 United Food Operation drive to help provide supplies and support for 12 independent food pantries in the Kanawha Valley. #wv pic.twitter.com/6iZUBoEwpd

— West Virginia AFLCIO (@WestVirginiaAFL) January 17, 2025

Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:

Get ready for the spring election! Absentee ballots for spring primary start going out Tuesday https://t.co/tYmGKg8UXs via @Kenosha_News

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) January 27, 2025

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 01/27/2025 - 15:28

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Health Care Workers Ratify New Contract with UM Health-Sparrow

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Nurses and health care professionals at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow voted to approve a new contract with 95% approval, averting a planned five-day strike. The Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Association (PECSH-MNA), an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU), said the contract runs until Oct. 30, 2027, and covers some 2,000 workers.

The new contract includes competitive wage increases (with most members receiving between a 20% and 32% raise); large increases in differentials for night shift, evening shift, and weekend work; a guaranteed health care plan equal or better to the union plan the employer is ending; a permanent decrease in the cost of members’ premium contribution to Blue Cross Blue Shield; new language guaranteeing no permanent replacement of positions with subcontractors; and maintenance of open postings for these positions, extended COVID-19 protections for members, increased benefits for employees injured by workplace violence, vacation accrual for salaried members on paid-out comp time, and a ratification bonus.

“We’re really proud that we as a union stood strong to get what nurses and healthcare professionals at Sparrow need and deserve,” said Leah Rasch, RN and co-chair of the elected PECSH-MNA bargaining team. “This is one of the best contracts anyone can remember at our hospital. A great agreement for our members is a win for all of us, because it will help make sure Sparrow can attract and keep enough nurses and health care workers to take excellent care of our community.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 01/27/2025 - 10:20

Keep the Promise: The Working People Weekly List

Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.

Whole Foods Workers in Philadelphia Vote to Form Chain’s First Union: “Workers at a Whole Foods Market in Philadelphia voted on Monday to become the first unionized store in Amazon’s grocery chain, opening a new front in the e-commerce giant’s efforts to fend off labor organizing in multiple segments of its business. Employees at the sprawling Whole Foods store, in the city’s Spring Garden neighborhood, voted 130-100 in favor of organizing with the United Food and Commercial Workers union, the National Labor Relations Board said.”

Las Vegas Hotel Workers Union Reaches Deal with Casino to End Strike: “Hundreds of workers at a Las Vegas hotel and casino who have been on strike for more than two months will go back to work after agreeing to a new contract Wednesday. The Culinary Workers Union and an affiliated bartenders union, which together represented about 700 striking workers at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, announced the employees had unanimously approved a five-year deal. The unions and the hotel said in a joint statement that they are ‘pleased to be moving past their contract negotiations as each looks forward to fostering a positive and collaborative working relationship for the benefit of all team members at the property.’”

Healthcare Worker Union Ratifies New Contract with UM Health-Sparrow: “Nurses and healthcare professionals at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow voted to approve a new contract, the Michigan Nurses Association announced Thursday afternoon. The vote passed with 95% approval, averting a planned five-day strike. Members of the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital-Michigan Nurses Association (PECSH-MNA) began voting on Monday. Voting ended Thursday and was tallied that same afternoon. Workers would have gone on strike if the contract had not been approved.”

UAW Forces Stellantis to Keep Promises, Wins Back Thousands of Jobs: “After months of campaigns, rallies, grievances filed, and strike votes taken, the United Auto Workers have just won back thousands of jobs in a new agreement with Stellantis. The union’s ‘Keep The Promise’ campaign kicked off after the company reneged on a number of key issues that the workers and their union won in their historic 2023 Stand Up Strike. ‘This victory is a testament to the power of workers standing together and holding a billion-dollar corporation accountable,’ Shawn Fain, president of the UAW, and Kevin Gotkinsky, UAW Stellantis Department Director, said in a statement released Wednesday morning.”

Workers at Genesis HealthCare Ratify First Contract with UFCW Local 152: “Workers at the Genesis HealthCare assisted living facility in Millville voted to ratify their first union contract on Jan. 9, giving them a voice on the job and secured wages and benefits. The workers, members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 152, voted unanimously to accept their three-year agreement.”

Justice Demands That Colorado Legislators Modernize the State’s Labor Law This Session (Fredrick D. Redmond): “Colorado’s outdated labor law is rooted in unmistakable racism. Now is the time to modernize the law to provide all workers—especially workers of color—with the freedom to organize a union so they can openly voice their opinions at work and negotiate on safety and pay. Colorado’s economy was very different 81 years ago, when our current labor law was passed. In 1943, Colorado’s total population was just over a million people. One of the biggest employers was the Denver Ordnance Plant, where almost 20,000 workers produced bullets for the World War II war effort in three shifts around the clock. And more than 7,000 Japanese-American citizens were prisoners at Camp Amache in Prowers County.”

AFT President Randi Weingarten Discusses Resistance to Trump's Education Policies: “What will resistance to Trump's education policy look like this time around? NPR hears from Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. Randi Weingarten is the longtime president of the American Federation of Teachers. It's a union representing 1.8 million teachers nationwide. She joins us this morning by way of Skype. Randi, thanks for joining us. Now, how would the teachers you represent be affected by, say, a dismantled Department of Education if indeed he does that?”

New Labor Coalition Wants Colorado’s Unions at the Forefront of the State’s Green Energy Transit: “In a classroom full of motors and switches, Dan Hendricks is going over what goes into a 3-5-year electrical apprenticeship. ‘This is towards the end of their apprenticeship, where they would learn motor control, different switching systems, things of that nature,’ he says, showing me a piece of machinery. ‘So as they progress, right, the work gets more interesting.’ He flicks a switch and triggers a sharp buzzing noise.”

Cecile Richards, Former Planned Parenthood President, Dies at 67: “Cecile Richards, the dynamic former president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and one of the country’s most well-known defenders of abortion rights, died on Monday at her home in Manhattan. She was 67. She was diagnosed in 2023 with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, her family said in a statement. A former political organizer, Richards was a daughter of former Gov. Ann Richards of Texas.”

Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 01/27/2025 - 09:38

Demanding A Seat On the Bus: What Working People Are Doing This Week

Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.

Actors' Equity:

ICYMI - Equity members who have been impacted by the California Wildfires can find resources including emergency financial assistance, disaster unemployment insurance, and more on our website. https://t.co/TnrFBsMvll pic.twitter.com/6GelpNq6kp

— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) January 23, 2025

AFGE:

These attacks on DEIA are just a smokescreen for firing civil servants, undermining the apolitical civil service, and turning the federal government into an army of yes-men who are loyal to the president, not the Constitution.https://t.co/Pbn4Zs8uw0

— AFGE (@AFGENational) January 23, 2025

AFSCME:

Congrats to AFSCME member Amy Peters, a scientist with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, who is the latest winner of our union’s Never Quit Service Award. https://t.co/LEugiblimW

— AFSCME (@AFSCME) January 23, 2025

Alliance for Retired Americans:

BREAKING: Amazon workers in North Carolina are ready to have a union election. #1u #ItsBetterInAUnion https://t.co/otKswMflCA

— Alliance for Retired Americans (@ActiveRetirees) January 23, 2025

Amalgamated Transit Union:

Local 713-Memphis, TN, demands ‘Seat on the Bus’ as MATA names new CEO. #ATUStrongerTogether
https://t.co/6uDUggVGl3

— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) January 23, 2025

American Federation of Musicians:

On your way to NAMM? 
Visit the AFM Booth (#7806) with representatives from Local 7 (Orange County, CA) and Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA). Current AFM members can pick up a gold lapel pin. pic.twitter.com/ZTpynQYFc8

— AFM (@The_AFM) January 22, 2025

American Federation of Teachers:

As educators, we know our duty is to create safe, welcoming spaces for all of our students. Our locals across the country are going above and beyond to do just that. Read our resource guide to help navigate these challenging times. https://t.co/AdKdbMwkpt

📸: @UFT pic.twitter.com/3nDdiHMpJ6

— AFT (@AFTunion) January 24, 2025

American Postal Workers Union:

This month in Labor History, we look back at two major strikes that shifted their industries: the nationwide General Electric and Westinghouse strike of 200,000 electrical workers; and the New York City Transit Strike which shut down the city’s public transit for 12 days. Learn…

— The American Postal Workers Union - APWU (@APWUnational) January 22, 2025

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:

“The company needs to recognize the contributions we have made to its continued growth. We are hopeful that with the help of a federal mediator we will work with urgency to get the pay, benefits, and scheduling provisions we have earned.” https://t.co/4EMxsK2Mj9

— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) January 22, 2025

Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers:

Martin Luther King, Jr. knew unions are one of the best tools we have to dismantle systemic racism and build power for the working class.

BCTGM honors this #MLKDay by re-committing to The Dream through our activism and exceptional contracts. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 pic.twitter.com/it4bqfiNfi

— BCTGM International (@BCTGM) January 20, 2025

Boilermakers:

👍 Local D194 produces cement. What does your local fabricate or produce? pic.twitter.com/ixxiaJLBbp

— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) January 22, 2025

Bricklayers:

Completed projects, hard work, and dedicated training going down in BAC Local 3 #NY!#BestHandsInTheBusiness #UnionStrong #SkilledTrades #Apprenticeships pic.twitter.com/BpiyxPjfj4

— Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union (@IUBAC) January 24, 2025

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists:

Keep Rising#MLK2025#1u#MLKDay pic.twitter.com/oaOyf9lgnx

— CBTU (@CBTU72) January 20, 2025

Communications Workers of America:

Congratulations to the United Academics of Philadelphia-CWA (UAP-CWA) for ratifying their first contract!https://t.co/rAA1HvU3q6

— CWA (@CWAUnion) January 19, 2025

Department for Professional Employees:

Congrats to the stagehands and technicians at the State Theatre in Portland, Maine who organized a union with @IATSE. https://t.co/dt9n2kehQr

— Department for Professional Employees (@DPEaflcio) January 17, 2025

Electrical Workers:

British Columbia construction sites just got an upgrade. Thanks to lobbying by the #IBEW and other members of @WeBuildBC , jobsites with 25 or more workers now must provide flush toilets. https://t.co/A9n0jdVteK pic.twitter.com/mWAWnJnQfv

— IBEW (@IBEW) January 23, 2025

Heat and Frost Insulators:

Revitalizing the Sunport with Local 76 ✈️
Albuquerque International Sunport, New Mexico’s largest airport, is undergoing an extensive renovation as part of a national infrastructure effort. 

The signatory contractor, Yearout Mechanical, has been leading the work at the Sunport… pic.twitter.com/YVRLFYLv4c

— Insulators Union 🦎 (@InsulatorsUnion) January 22, 2025

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:

📰✨ Check out the latest edition of El Avance!
📣 Read an inspiring message from our National President and stay up to date on the incredible work being done by our LCLAA chapters across the country. 👉 Don’t miss out—read it now! 💪🏽 https://t.co/doRc0ZDcfp #ElAvance #lclaa

— LCLAA (@LCLAA) January 17, 2025

Labor Heritage Foundation:

🎙️ Today on Labor Heritage Power Hour (1pm @wpfwdc):
MLK in Memphis: Part 3 of AFSCME's I AM STORY podcast on the '68 sanitation strike
Joe Uehlein’s "Morning Song" tribute to Pete Seeger
Labor History in 2:00: The First MLK Day & Charleston Five https://t.co/NQj4Xpvwa9… pic.twitter.com/NVXuSV3yuG

— Labor Heritage (@LaborHeritage1) January 23, 2025

Laborers:

Can’t wait to hit the road again, visiting job sites and meeting the incredible people who make this union great — YOU. Where should I stop first? Drop your suggestions. #FeelThePower #LIUNA 

https://t.co/rsHNl85awC

— LIUNA (@LIUNA) January 24, 2025

Machinists:

🚨 BIG NEWS! The PACCAR (Kenworth) facility in Renton, WA, is receiving a major boost from Biden's @ENERGY grant program to transition to zero-emission vehicles!

Over 300 IAM members will benefit as this grant helps sustain and grow IAM union jobs.https://t.co/o53dlmAAw8

— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) January 24, 2025

Metal Trades Department:

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—a great leader who dedicated his life to justice, freedom, and equality. His civil rights work is inextricably linked to labor rights. His vision continues to influence our fight daily. pic.twitter.com/ij6xmtmtsM

— Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) January 20, 2025

Mine Workers:

Dr. King had the same hopes and dreams we still fight for today. He taught us that despite challenges, hardships, and division we must keep moving forward. pic.twitter.com/zohMQ6v3kd

— United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) January 20, 2025

Musical Artists:

AGMA Stands in Solidarity with the ARTS-MSM Precollege Faculty Union: https://t.co/OyXMhhQWCw pic.twitter.com/Oq6DU5075f

— AGMA (@AGMusicalArtist) January 22, 2025

National Air Traffic Controllers Association:

Limited edition merchandise for the NATCA Convention taking place in San Francisco May 9-11, 2025 is available to pre-order. Pre-order deadline: February 1, 2025, for guaranteed pickup at NATCA Convention. https://t.co/oS5xfqlF5m pic.twitter.com/mEeFlRaJxx

— NATCA (@NATCA) January 17, 2025

National Association of Letter Carriers:

DYK: Letter carriers deliver more than 376 million pieces of mail and packages to nearly 169 million addresses daily.

Postage and stamp sales fund our work, not tax dollars.

— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) January 23, 2025

National Day Laborer Organizing Network:

READ NOW! This in depth interview explores NDLON's, Pablo Alvardo's, journey from organizing in the ‘90s to now, mobilizing fire relief efforts out of @pasjobcenter to help uplift those who have been affected by these wild fires the most.https://t.co/XecQqhfnBD

— NDLON (@NDLON) January 22, 2025

National Domestic Workers Alliance:

Thank you, @harpersbazaarus, for highlighting our LA Wildfire Fund to help domestic workers.

Time and time again, we are reminded how essential they are to our communities, and it is time we show up for them. https://t.co/jv9DkthVUY

— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) January 24, 2025

National Federation of Federal Employees:

WFPPA Reintroduced, Message on LA Fires, Social Security Bill Signed into Law, and more - https://t.co/Nwecr5rvBF pic.twitter.com/F6aZE3IXjs

— NFFE (@NFFE_Union) January 17, 2025

National Nurses United:

🚨 New Orleans nurses strike vote alert! 🚨 

Nurses at @UMCNO voted to authorize a two-day strike to demand a strong contract in the face of management's union-busting stall tactics. Nurses say their proposals on issues like emergency preparedness have been ignored.

— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) January 23, 2025

National Taxi Workers Alliance:

Taxis & FHVs face a crisis as largest insurer is headed to insolvency. The approach to cut no fault by $150K saves drivers only $600/year in premium. It's a bad trade off. The solution is a driver co-op. Cut profits not coverage. @GovKathyHochulhttps://t.co/4sUd8v60MS

— NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) January 13, 2025

NWSL Players Association:

We’ve joined @bluesky and sent out our first post! Check it out here: https://t.co/lv5Wyf2eU3 pic.twitter.com/Rz3ocCq3If

— NWSLPA (@nwsl_players) January 24, 2025

NFL Players Association:

🚨The Final Five 🚨
After over 11K fan votes & picks from an external committee, we've narrowed the #CommunityMVPs to 5 finalists for the Alan Page Community Award!
Congrats to: 
@cambeezy_24@demariodavis@last_king_2
@slimslay_81@ryan_kelly70
🔗: https://t.co/kWozFXWDIw pic.twitter.com/7agAhMQddA

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) January 21, 2025

North America's Building Trades Unions:

REGISTRATION FOR LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE 2025 IS NOW OPEN.

Join us April 6-9 at the Washington, DC Hilton. Visit https://t.co/W8Tj7jswNl to register and for more information. pic.twitter.com/CEqg299irt

— The Building Trades (@NABTU) January 24, 2025

Office and Professional Employees:

Stand in solidarity with the staff of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, who are unionizing with OPEIU Local 98!

Sign your name in support ➡️ https://t.co/ikqaPmu7g8 pic.twitter.com/yTZBaVIzJp

— OPEIU | #UnionStrong (@OPEIU) January 14, 2025

Painters and Allied Trades:

The IUPAT Black CORE Committee held the first ever Black CORE Cohort in November of last year – our members were able to keep developing their skills as leaders in our union and will bring it back to our jobsites and union halls! pic.twitter.com/GX2DEfdHqW

— IUPAT (@GoIUPAT) January 24, 2025

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union:

Good morning to the green vests of @reiunion Greensboro, who are voting in their union election today! Y’all GOT THIS, vote #UnionYES! pic.twitter.com/PzeijkLomB

— RWDSU (@RWDSU) January 24, 2025

Roofers and Waterproofers:

In the union, we lift each other up. Letting forgiveness heal & letting go help us thrive as a team. Together, we grow stronger every day!#RoofersUnion #BuiltToLast #UnionStrong #UnitedWeStand #UnionPower #TogetherWeRise #KeepPushingForward #NeverBackDown pic.twitter.com/tsP3DsqOyb

— Roofers Union (@roofersunion) January 23, 2025

SAG-AFTRA:

The late Ernest Borgnine was #BOTD in 1917. The WWII veteran had a career that spanned six decades, with notable roles in the films 'Marty' and 'McHale's Navy.' A beloved performer and #SagAftraMember, Borgnine received the SAG Life Achievement Award in 2011. pic.twitter.com/5EvDemPQ8F

— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) January 24, 2025

Service Employees International Union (SEIU):

Healthcare workers like Yolanda Navarro are fighting for ALL of us! 🩺✊ Congress, listen up: We won’t stand by while you threaten MEDI-Cal. Patients and workers deserve better. https://t.co/hx97XuDGbd

— SEIU (@SEIU) January 23, 2025

Solidarity Center:

Our partners the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL) are bargaining for better living & working conditions at Bridgestone's Liberia rubber plantation ✊🏿. Join us in showing support & #solidarity by signing their petition: https://t.co/o2xVtcG9vX#WorkerRights

— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) January 23, 2025

The NewsGuild-CWA:

NEW: Journalists at nonprofit newsroom, EdSource, announced their intent to unionize today. ✊

The EdSource Guild is asking leadership at EdSource to recognize the union voluntarily!https://t.co/lIGTefuY6W

— The NewsGuild-CWA (@newsguild) January 17, 2025

Theatrical Stage Employees:

NEW CONTRACT: IATSE Local 87 (Richmond VA) and ASM Global are pleased to announce that a tentative agreement was reached over the weekend, and was ratified by an overwhelming 88% of eligible workers.

Segment featured on ABC 8 pic.twitter.com/9zFpd8qele

— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) January 22, 2025

Transport Workers Union:

Congratulations to our International President John Samuelsen who is being named tonight Irishman of the Year and Aide to the Grand Marshal of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade by the United Emerald Societies. ⁦@TwuSamuelsen⁩ #stpatricksdayparade #irish pic.twitter.com/vDB6rAC8D1

— TWU (@transportworker) January 23, 2025

Transportation Trades Department:

Catch the train with us in 2025! Always a pleasure visiting our partners at @Amtrak 🚆 pic.twitter.com/34ZnfwVF0t

— TTD | America's Transportation Unions (@TTDAFLCIO) January 24, 2025

UAW:

Daimler workers are ready to strike if necessary, when their contract expires Friday. Daimler has the money and can settle this today. Daimler, share the pie, not the crumbs! pic.twitter.com/EwI2mENsUP

— UAW (@UAW) January 23, 2025

UNITE HERE:

Enrique Fernández, UNITE HERE General VP for Immigration, Civil Rights & Diversity on protecting immigrant workers in the current environment:https://t.co/ar8eNnaUhM

— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) January 22, 2025

United Food and Commercial Workers:

Workers at the Cannabis 21+ dispensary in Mission Valley, San Diego, have voted to join @UFCW135

With the union backing them, these workers intend to secure better wages, benefits, and conditions.

Let’s get to work!

➡️ https://t.co/Zy4796z7GR pic.twitter.com/ZtDYopFj5P

— UFCW (@UFCW) January 23, 2025

United Steelworkers:

We're celebrating a few more 2024 wins our Rapid Response program helped deliver for workers – before we crush 2025💪 pic.twitter.com/PXOc80v6a1

— United Steelworkers #EverybodysUnion (@steelworkers) January 24, 2025

Utility Workers:

Hungry for more?

In the latest issue of The Utility Worker Magazine, Human Rights Committee Chair Darryl Taylor reminds us how @aflcio constituency groups can satisfy the need for connection, knowledge, and community support. https://t.co/8zMzqQQdPi pic.twitter.com/3aSkwpPYVl

— UWUA National (@The_UWUA) January 24, 2025

Writers Guild of America East:

Lucky 8 management is using one of the oldest tricks in the book, but their stalling won't discourage us. We'll continue to fight until workers at Lucky 8 have union recognition AND protections.

We're just getting started, @Lucky8TV. #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/Q0xKNKU3sy

— Writers Guild of America East (@WGAEast) January 23, 2025

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 01/24/2025 - 11:04

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers Win—Culinary Reaches Deal with Virgin Hotels, Ends Strike

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The Culinary Union and Bartenders Union, affiliated with UNITE HERE, reached an agreement with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, after a monthslong strike. The new contract, which passed unanimously, runs through Sept. 30, 2028. Some 700 union members will receive wage increases retroactive to when their last contract expired on June 1, 2023. The contract also includes increases in company contributions toward employee health care, pensions and other benefits. The workers have been on strike since November 2024.

"Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and the Culinary and Bartenders Union are pleased to be moving past their contract negotiations as each looks forward to fostering a positive and collaborative working relationship for the benefit of all team members at the property," said the Culinary Union.

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 01/23/2025 - 10:14

Tags: Organizing

Worker Wins: Ensuring A Just and Respectful Workplace

Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.

IAM Members at IKEA Perryville Ratify New Contract: After more than two months on the picket line, workers represented by Machinists (IAM) Local I460, District 4 at the IKEA Distribution Center in Perryville, Maryland, have ratified a new contract. Members initially began their work stoppage last year on Nov. 15 after rejecting management’s proposal that would have stripped workers of their seniority rights and failed to keep up with the rising costs of living. “The members took to the picket lines demanding fair wages and protections for seniority to ensure a just and respectful workplace,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan in a press release. “After weeks of negotiations, the new agreement delivers increased wages and preserves critical seniority language for employees with 18 or more years of service. Our members stood up strong for respect and dignity, which will make our union stronger. This contract ensures fairness and respect for long-serving employees while delivering well-earned wage increases for everyone. We are grateful for the community support during the strike.”

Brightline Onboard Workers Make History by Joining TWU: Onboard and lead attendants at Florida’s privately owned passenger railroad, Brightline, voted to join the Transport Workers Union (TWU) on Tuesday, making them the largest group of railroad workers who have successfully organized in more than two decades. These staff members—who sell concessions and provide other passenger services on trains running between Miami and Orlando—approached TWU last year in hopes of building a stronger voice on the job. Workers cited concerns around a restrictive sick time policy, unfair disciplinary processes and unpredictable work schedules. In response to their organizing efforts, Brightline hired notorious union-busting law firm Littler Mendelson and started rolling out aggressive tactics like having the company president call workers at home to intimidate them. But members refused to back down and ended up securing a 2-to-1 margin of victory in their election. “Brightline ran an ugly anti-union, anti-worker campaign against their own workforce, but let’s put that behind us,” TWU International President John Samuelsen said in a press release. “We’re committed to working to ensure the railroad is successful while helping our newest members secure better wages, better working conditions, respect in the workplace, and other goals that they set.”

Noguchi Museum Workers Vote Unanimously to Form Union: Staff at the Noguchi Museum in New York City voted unanimously this week to join UAW Local 2110. The Noguchi Union is a wall-to-wall unit that covers 55 workers across different departments at the cultural institution. Local 2110 also represents their peers at the Guggenheim Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Members first went public with their organizing efforts a few months after the museum—which is dedicated to the works of vocal anti-war activist Isamu Noguchi—implemented a ban on Palestinian headscarves known as keffiyehs. This spurred workers to fight for representation so they can secure fair grievance procedures and protections against discrimination, among other issues like fair pay. “With a UNANIMOUS UNION YES VOTE WE WON OUR UNION ELECTION,” said the Noguchi Union in a social media post. “The Noguchi Museum staff is excited to announce the formation of its union! Our members seek to negotiate for a more equitable, inclusive, and transparent workplace.”

VA Memorial Products Service Employees Vote to Join AFGE: The Federal Labor Relations Authority last week officially certified the election where Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration’s (NCA’s) Memorial Products Service (MPS) workers successfully voted to join AFGE Local 17. These newly minted members work at three remote processing locations in Illinois, Kansas and Tennessee—before the COVID-19 pandemic, they had worked out of offices located at the cemeteries. Local 17 previously represented the workers in Tennessee and Kansas, but once they became remote, the NCA designated them as unrepresented. Now that MPS staff won their election, they’re looking forward to addressing things like overtime concerns and issues with performance evaluations. “I was really excited,” said Local 17 3rd Vice President Megan-Brady Viccellio. “Local 17 already represents several of these employees, and we’re really heartened that they wanted to come back to the fold. I think that they had experience with the protection of the really robust master agreement at VA. It was a 14 to zero vote. That speaks volumes about the value that they see.”

Temple University Hospital Resident Physicians and Fellows Vote to Form Union: Resident physicians and fellows at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia have voted overwhelmingly to join the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR), a local of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Resident physicians often work up to 80-hour weeks for relatively low pay as they complete the final stage of their medical training. CIR members have cited these conditions and chronic understaffing that impacts patient care as motivators for organizing. This victory at Temple is the latest in a string of recent resident organizing efforts at medical facilities around the city. “It’s time to put patients back at the center of our health-care system,” said Sarah Bart, a Temple resident. “We won our union, now we are preparing our campaign for a fair contract that puts resources in patient care and supports physicians’ and patients’ well-being.”

Colorado Ski Patrol Staff Join CWA, Latest in Resort Industry Organizing Efforts: Ski patrollers of Colorado's Arapahoe Basin ski area announced on Sunday that they have voted to join the United Mountain Workers, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7781. Under the name Arapahoe Basin Ski Patrol (ABSP) Union, these staff members fought to organize in order to secure more competitive pay that reflects their specialized, critical work. Patrollers are employed by Alterra Mountain Company, which acquired Arapahoe Basin in November 2024 after an antitrust investigation by the Department of Justice, and have experienced an intense union-busting campaign from management.

Workers Overwhelmingly Vote to Form Union at Alabama Chemical Plant: Production and maintenance workers at the Gaylord Chemical manufacturing facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, voted last week to join the International Chemical Workers Union Council (ICWUC), part of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). Workers at the plant—who make chemical compounds used in medical and industrial solvents and food additives—reached out to the union a few months ago to begin their organizing efforts. Their landslide election win is even more exciting in the context of Alabama’s “right to work” laws and vocally anti-union lawmakers. “I just want to thank the [ICWUC] for getting behind us and supporting us. As soon as we reached out to them, they were quick to respond,” one Gaylord Chemical worker stated. Jordan Easley, ICWUC’s national organizing coordinator, said of the campaign victory: “[Workers] excelled when it came to open support, public support, and the numbers reflected that. They got what they deserve. Obviously most employers don’t want a union, but I think [Gaylord Chemical] were stopped in their tracks. They are reminded that you need workers more than workers need you.”

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 01/22/2025 - 15:23

Tags: Organizing

We Will Not Be Silent, We Will Not Back Down: In the States Roundup

It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on X (formerly Twitter).

Alaska AFL-CIO:

#akleg, it’s time to provide the funding needed to give a quality education to every child in Alaska! https://t.co/powTakKyvT

— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) January 22, 2025

Arizona AFL-CIO:

"The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment ordering two commonly owned Arizona drywall and painting companies to pay $7,450,000 in back wages and damages..."https://t.co/XHXMNbCmjt

— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) January 17, 2025

California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:

We will not be silent, we will not back down. pic.twitter.com/N2tefjhgv8

— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) January 21, 2025

Colorado AFL-CIO:

With a packed committee room full of support, and testimonies from many workers from a variety of sectors, the Worker Protection Act passed the Senate Business, Labor, & Technology Committee today! One step forward in the fight for the Worker Protection Act in Colorado! pic.twitter.com/holTzs97lu

— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) January 22, 2025

Illinois AFL-CIO:

🚨 📱 🚨 ACTION ALERT 🚨 📱 🚨 

Hotel Cass recently cut off union health insurance for UNITE HERE Local 1 and IUOE Local 399 members. They need your help demanding it back. 

Call Garnet Hotels and let them know our union siblings deserve their union healthcare! pic.twitter.com/AmZ4xTe8CS

— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) January 23, 2025

Maine AFL-CIO:

Our latest in our series about the history of nurse organizing: The First Union Contract at a Hospital in Maine! https://t.co/FliqGtYd5l

— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) January 21, 2025

Massachusetts AFL-CIO:

Statement from MA AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch on the Healey-Driscoll Admin’s proposed budget plan to permanently close the Pappas Rehab Hospital & Pocasset Mental Health Center, layoff 170 case managers in DMH, and hike insurance rates for 1000s of union members. #mapoli pic.twitter.com/n7f2QtZMSh

— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) January 22, 2025

Minnesota AFL-CIO:

He is setting the table to clear out the hundreds of thousands of hardworking Americans who make our government actually work and replace them with political loyalists who will do his bidding. #BetterInAUnion https://t.co/TbGyR72ozA

— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) January 22, 2025

Missouri AFL-CIO:

Tell the young people in your life to consider a #Union apprenticeship to get a head start of earning for the future! #1u #UnionJobs #Apprenticeship pic.twitter.com/qhVvk9dW9z

— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) January 22, 2025

Nevada State AFL-CIO:

When we fight, we win! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/CLMusjsUtE

— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) January 22, 2025

New Hampshire AFL-CIO:

In -10°, 200 brothers and sisters came together to oppose “Right-to-Work. Your #Solidarity is our strength. We need your help!

Use this link to send a letter to your legislator saying that “Right-to-Work” is STILL WRONG for NH:https://t.co/QP4RyjZZTs#NHPolitics #1u https://t.co/p2FKAbdcUs pic.twitter.com/DTiOpSBK5k

— New Hampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) January 23, 2025

New York State AFL-CIO:

Today and every day we are grateful for the strides Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made for desegregation, equal voting rights, civil rights and the labor movement. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/B8hf8tsQ3D

— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) January 20, 2025

Ohio AFL-CIO:

It was never about fighting for us. It was always about protecting billionaires. https://t.co/DX7NoQuZWU

— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) January 20, 2025

 

Oregon AFL-CIO:

Come hold the line with striking Providence workers at Prov. St. Vincent on Friday, 1/24 at noon! Wear your union colors and help win a fair contract for @OregonNurses members on strike. #OregonLabor pic.twitter.com/iaPWAr28qu

— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) January 23, 2025

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:

Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a champion for workers’ rights, economic justice, and equality. His legacy inspires the us to continue the fight for fair wages, safe workplaces, and dignity for all workers. ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/QbdBbIKik2

— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) January 20, 2025

Texas AFL-CIO:

Texas Republicans’ budget:

❌ ZERO pension increases for retired state employees
❌ $1B for a private school voucher scam
❌ $6.5B for Abbott’s “border security” pet project

Our lawmakers should be listening to working Texans, not their billionaire buddies. #txlege

— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) January 22, 2025

Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:

Register for the virtual panel here:https://t.co/WzzzRk0RAj https://t.co/2UyPcBVjFH

— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) January 22, 2025

Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:

Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale responds to Governor Evers' 2025 State of the State address https://t.co/hpGfNzSC9X

— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) January 23, 2025

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 01/22/2025 - 10:49

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Some of D.C.’s Best-Known Restaurants Move to Join UNITE HERE

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Staff at five different prominent restaurants owned by some of Washington, D.C.’s biggest restaurateurs went public with their efforts to join UNITE HERE Local 25 last week.

Workers at Le Diplomate, St. Anselm and Pastis—owned by Stephen Starr’s
Starr Restaurants—and Rasika Penn Quarter and Modena—owned by Ashok Bajaj’s Knightsbridge Restaurant Group—are fighting for better scheduling practices, higher pay and respect on the job.

“The status quo in restaurants is that anything goes as long as the guests are happy, and I’ve personally witnessed some unfair treatment, a little bit of cultural insensitivity,” said Pablo Zuniga, a server at Le Diplomate. “Having a union would place us in a better position to have mutual respect from management, no matter your background, no matter your race, your gender identity, or your language.”

Kenneth Quinnell Wed, 01/22/2025 - 09:14

Tags: Organizing

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Nurses March to Demand Patient Protections Against AI

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Thousands of nurses represented by National Nurses United (NNU) took part in rallies last week calling for the hospitals to prioritize safe staffing and patient protections against growing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

These nationwide demonstrations were aimed at uplifting the broad shared concern among nurses over the current implementation of AI by hospital employers and policy regulators. In a survey released last year, NNU found that 50% of responders have seen their employer implement algorithmic systems to assess things like how ill the patient is and predict the number of hours of nursing care they will need. Of those nurses, 69% said the computer-generated measurements did not match their informed assessments and lacked consideration of important, complex social factors that were at play.

“[N]urses across the country are taking to the streets to let our communities know that in 2025, as in all years past, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care for every patient,” said Nancy Hagans, RN and a president of NNU, in a press release. “We will fight fearlessly against the profit-driven hospital industry, which seeks to undermine nursing care through unconscionable understaffing and reckless automation.”

Kenneth Quinnell Tue, 01/21/2025 - 10:28

Ready to Push Back: The Working People Weekly List

Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List.

AFL-CIO & SEIU Are Reuniting in the United States—13 Million Trade Union Members Ready to Push Back: “The AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) announced on Thursday that they are reuniting to launch ‘a new, long-term effort to make it easier for workers to win a voice on our jobs with their unions’. Two million SEIU service and care workers will join the nearly 13 million-member AFL-CIO, and together, these powerful organisations will push back on union-busting and win for working-class families. The unions formally announced the affiliation at a roundtable discussion with workers who are fighting to win their unions on Thursday in advance of the AFL-CIO’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference, which started yesterday. The workers will share their stories of why they need new rules to make it easier to join together in unions. The joint statement said: ‘At a critical moment when everything is on the line for the nation’s working people, the labour movement is uniting to challenge the status quo and build a movement of workers who will fight—on the job, in the streets, at the ballot box, in our communities—for higher pay, expanded benefits and new rules that empower them to join together in unions and organise across industries.”

Joe Biden: The Best President Labor Ever Had : “As Joe Biden gets ready to leave the White House Jan. 20, one verdict is clear: He kept his often-repeated pledge to be the most pro-union president in U.S. history. For four years, at every level of his administration, he and his appointees went out of their way to support unions and union labor.”

Stagehands and Technicians at Portland’s State Theatre Have Unionized: “Nearly three dozen technicians and stagehands at Portland’s State Theatre have unionized. The 35 employees who help the theatre’s shows come to life will join Local 114 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees after winning their National Labor Relations Board election to unionize on Tuesday.”

Trump’s Plan to Slash Federal Jobs Puts Black Workers at Risk: “President–elect Donald Trump’s plans to shrink the federal workforce would have disparate impacts on Black employment, while potentially eroding a key conduit to economic mobility that many Black families have relied on for generations. Some researchers say a substantial cutback could push the Black unemployment rate higher, particularly in areas like Washington, D.C., where Black joblessness is among the highest in the country. Such an outcome would stand at odds with Trump’s campaign promises to protect Black workers’ jobs and provide them with more employment opportunities.”

Brightline Onboard Workers Sign On with TWU: “The approximately 100 onboard and lead attendants at Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, have voted to join Transport Workers Union of America (TWU). The National Mediation Board announced the election results on Jan. 14 in Washington, D.C., after weeks of balloting, which began Nov. 27, according to TWU. The Brightline workers, who sell food and beverages and provide other services on trains between Miami and Orlando, Fla., voted to join TWU on a roughly two-to-one margin, the union said.”

The Labor Movement Won Big Victories in 2024. Now It Must Fend Off Trump: “Organized labor is currently preparing to fight back. Just a week into 2025 the SEIU announced that it was rejoining the AFL-CIO to help fight Trump’s anti-worker agenda. The two unions have been unaligned for almost 20 years. In remarks made at a roundtable discussion shortly after the decision, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler stressed the need for solidarity among workers. ‘We just finished an election cycle where one party spent the entire time telling working class people across this country, ‘Look how different you are from each other,’’ said Shuler. ‘He’s an immigrant. She’s transgender or they worship differently than you do’ and it worked to some degree, right? We watched it. The scariest thing in the world to the CEOs, to the billionaires in this country and the folks like Donald Trump who do their bidding, is the idea that we might one day see through that.”

Nurses Across U.S. to Rally Over AI Safeguards: “On Jan. 16, thousands of registered nurses will hold marches, protests and rallies to demand the hospital industry ensure safe staffing levels and artificial intelligence safeguards, a Jan. 14 National Nurses United news release said. ’Patient advocacy is at the core of what we do as nurses,‘ Nancy Hagans, RN, president of NNU, said in the release. ’That’s why we’re demanding safe staffing and protections against untested technologies such as AI. We see the harm that these cost-cutting schemes cause our patients on a daily basis.‘”

2.5 Million Americans Were Once Denied Social Security Benefits. A New Law Changes That: “‘For years, members were bringing this up and and asking for it to be changed, because it had such an impact, especially on our lower paid employees, like our paraprofessionals, who often are living paycheck to paycheck and working multiple jobs,’ said Cropper, who also serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the Ohio AFL-CIO.”

From Mental Health to Class Solidarity: Workforce Trends to Watch In 2025: “Still, workers at Google’s Pittsburgh contractor HCL unionized in 2021, the Bethesda Game Studios workers voted to join the Communications Workers of America union, and Code for America reached a collective bargaining agreement with its union, CFA Workers United in 2023. The numbers in these early examples may be small, but as labor unions continue to expand their reach into previously unorganized sectors, expect to see a greater emphasis on fair pay, better working conditions, and broader social benefits for workers.”

CES 2025: Hollywood Unions Battle to Contain AI Disruptions in Creative Industries: “The increasing capabilities of generative AI systems were all the rage at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this year, but for all the enthusiasm from the tech world, there is still plenty of concern about the impact these tools will have on the workforce, from industrial and service work to creative industries, including entertainment, film and TV. So while the crowds were jamming the aisles of the Las Vegas Convention Center, representatives of America’s biggest unions were meeting down the street at the AFL-CIO’s Labor Innovation and Technology Summit to coordinate strategy around AI and try to ensure that workers have a seat at the table when it comes to setting policy around AI. Co-founded by SAG-AFTRA, the AFL-CIO, and the AFL-CIO Tech Institute, the LIT Summit brings together top labor leaders, worker advocates, policy experts, and allied organizations to discuss workers’ role in emerging technologies, as Big Tech’s role in the market and the halls of government evolves, according to the organization. Some of the unions in attendance such as the machinists have been engaged around issues of automation for decades, while others like those representing teachers and nurses are looking to ensure that new AI-driven innovations in education and medicine are deployed in collaboration and consultation with frontline workers rather than imposed from above.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 01/17/2025 - 12:07

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: VA Memorial Products Service Employees Vote to Join AFGE

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The Federal Labor Relations Authority last week officially certified the election where Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration’s (NCA’s) Memorial Products Service (MPS) workers successfully voted to join AFGE Local 17.

These newly minted members work at three remote processing locations in Illinois, Kansas and Tennessee—before the COVID-19 pandemic, they had worked out of offices located at the cemeteries. Local 17 previously represented the workers in Tennessee and Kansas, but once they became remote, the NCA designated them as unrepresented. Now that MPS staff won their election, they’re looking forward to addressing things like overtime concerns and issues with performance evaluations.

“I was really excited,” said Local 17 3rd Vice President Megan-Brady Viccellio. “Local 17 already represents several of these employees, and we’re really heartened that they wanted to come back to the fold. I think that they had experience with the protection of the really robust master agreement at VA. It was a 14 to zero vote. That speaks volumes about the value that they see.”

Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 01/17/2025 - 10:57

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Nevada Cannabis Workers at Ayr Wellness Ratify First Union Contract

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Last week, 120 Ayr Wellness workers across three dispensaries and one delivery depot located in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada, overwhelmingly voted to ratify their first union contract. The dispensary and delivery workers are represented by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 711.

The contract includes armed security at dispensaries, improved access to affordable health care and better scheduling opportunities.

“Today, we stand victorious—not because it was easy, but because we refused to give up,” said Chase Payne, an Ayr Wellness budtender from the Las Vegas Eastern Avenue location. “This contract represents more than just words on paper; it’s a testament to our resilience, unity and unwavering commitment to the cannabis industry. We fought for fair wages, safe conditions and respect—not just for ourselves, but for everyone who will come after us. This victory proves that when we stand together, we are unstoppable. The UFCW was there for us in a time of need and we wouldn’t be in this position without their support and guidance. But our work doesn’t stop here. We will continue to show the Las Vegas area and beyond what the UFCW is all about. Because together, we are not just workers—we are union employees!”

Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 01/16/2025 - 10:02